Garda pelted with eggs as he helped pregnant woman involved in car crash

A Dublin Garda was pelted with eggs and milkshakes while he helped a pregnant woman at the scene of a car crash.

Community Garda Niall Phelan told a meeting of the Blanchardstown Safety Forum that as he attended the incident, which involved a stolen car, he and an injured person were set upon by youths.

The incident happened on the Blackcourt Road four weeks ago as a pregnant woman was being taken to hospital in an ambulance. He said he was "pelted with eggs and milkshakes as I attempted to do my job and to help someone who was involved in a road traffic accident, a very serious one".

"That's the environment that we're working in," he added.

Mr Phelan also told people at the meeting about a recent discovery of a homemade shiv in a bag dumped by two young men who fled when they saw a Garda car. The weapon, made from melted plastic and a razor blade could have "sliced somebody's face to pieces" he said.

Residents in Corduff have been complaining about a recent spike in anti-social behaviour in the area.

Intimidation of some locals and reckless use of scramblers were among the issues raised at the well-attended meeting.

Other recent incidents include a car-jacking which left a man in his 20s injured. The man's car was later found burnt out near Blanchardstown IT.

Some residents fear that the increasing levels of anti-social behaviour will lead to more serious problems.

The area has experienced severe problems with crime in the past, when feared gang the 'Westies' ruled the area.

Both residents and local representatives at the meeting were keen to point out that those causing trouble were a small minority of people, some of whom are from outside the local area.

"The vast majority of people in this area are hard-working, decent people," Sinn Fein councillor Paul Donnelly said.

Gardai assured residents that they were monitoring the situation closely and taking action where it is appropriate.

They encouraged anyone who had information that could be useful to their investigations to get in touch with Blanchardstown station or to call the Garda confidential tip line.